Trippin'

 

Like a lot of people, we haven't been too far from home in a while, and when I find out about someplace fascinating it exerts a pull (until the idea of going to an airport sinks in).  What I have in mind right now is the oldest district of the northern German city of Bremen:  the Schnoor.   It was a fishermen's village until the River Balge silted up and disappeared, and like Bruges in Belgium for a like reason, has been frozen in time.  In the late 1950s it was preserved and rebuilt and in 1981 they put the brakes on further commercial development.  And the streets are too narrow for vehicles!

You may remember that this city is famous for the Grimm fairy tale "The Town Musicians of Bremen," but I'll bet you didn't know that decaffeinated coffee was invented here.

Speaking of Bruges (more properly Brugge, its Flemish name), one place we remember there fondly is the very old De Garre pub, which is at the end of a long, hard to find alley off the square.  Above its entrance you will find no hint it is in there; in fact there was a small sign that said "Tacos" (??) when we visited.

The house beer is an amber Belgian Trippel, and is probably the best we have ever had (so, worth a flight to Europe).  But have some respect:  it is 11% ABV (alcohol) and if you have another one, you'll never find your hotel.  But you will be quite happy none the less.

Our Dutch guide, Arjan, without whom we would have never found De Garre.

A world away, another favorite of ours is the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square.  When we went out on the balcony/patio outside its Broadway Bar, there was only one other person  -- very different than when they broadcast "New Year's Rockin' Eve" from there.  It's the best view of the famous ball drop there is. 

So much for cities; let's go to where the sand and palm trees are.  Da Conch Shack is on the Blue Hills beach on Provodenciales island in Turks and Caicos.  It's an old fishing settlement, and seafood and rum are in plentiful supply.  With reggae music floating on the breeze, it's a wonderful spot in the bright sunlight or through the warm night.  We were excitedly told that Keith Richards was there the previous day.  They may say that to all the tourists, but with its funky pirate vibe, Da Shack looks very much like his kind of place.